The Bulgarian national U17 volleyball team will learn their new opponents for the World Championship in Doha today, after the withdrawal of four countries forced FIVB to rearrange the groups just four days before the start of the championship.
In a conversation with us, Bulgaria's coach Ivan Stanev revealed that he had not received official information from the International Federation regarding the withdrawal of the USA, Japan, Czech Republic, and Puerto Rico.
"I have no official information from any bulletin from the International Federation to our federation and so on," Stanev stated.
Even more curious is how the Bulgarian staff found out that Japan would not participate in the World Championship.
The teams' scoutmen created a common group where they exchange match recordings to prepare opponent analysis. When the Bulgarian staff contacted their Japanese counterparts to exchange recordings, they received an unexpected answer.
"We made a group with the scoutmen and started exchanging matches. We wrote to the Japanese to exchange a match, and the Japanese said: 'We will not participate, we haven't assembled a team,'" Stanev recounted.
The Bulgarian coach also knew in advance about the withdrawal of the Czech Republic. According to the information he has, the reason is the unwillingness of some parents to let their children go due to the security situation in the region.
FIVB has not officially announced the reasons for the withdrawal of the four countries, which is why Stanev's information about their motives cannot be confirmed by the International Federation.
Bulgaria is in the third row of the draw
Following the withdrawal of the USA, Japan, Czech Republic, and Puerto Rico, the 20 remaining teams will be divided into five groups of four.
The first two teams in each group have already been determined:
| Group | Row 1 | Row 2 |
|---|---|---|
| A | Qatar | Tunisia |
| B | Italy | Cuba |
| C | Argentina | Brazil |
| D | Spain | Egypt |
| E | Iran | Chinese Taipei |
To each of these five pairs, one team from the third row and one from the fourth row will be added during the draw.
| Row 3 | Row 4 |
|---|---|
| Mexico | Venezuela |
| Pakistan | Algeria |
| BULGARIA | Poland |
| France | Romania |
| India | Turkey |
For Bulgaria, the calculation is simple: our national team can be placed in any of the five groups and will receive the two already seeded teams in it plus one opponent from the fourth row. Bulgaria will certainly not play with Mexico, Pakistan, France, or India, as they are in the same row of the draw.
However, there are two scenarios in which part of the current preparation of Ivan Stanev's team will remain relevant. If Bulgaria is drawn into Group C, they will again meet Brazil, and if they are placed in Group E – Iran. Both teams were opponents of our national team in the initial Group E, which also included Japan, who withdrew.
If placed in Group A, B, or D, Bulgaria will receive an entirely new trio of pre-seeded opponents, and the staff will have to redirect their preparation towards them just days before the start of the World Cup.
"We prepared for three teams, and now it could be three different ones"
Initially, Bulgaria was in Group E with Brazil, Iran, and Japan. Following FIVB's decision, this draw is no longer valid.
This puts Ivan Stanev's staff in an unusual situation – preparation has been conducted for three specific opponents, and just days before the start, Bulgaria could receive an entirely different group.
"The bad thing is that we prepared for three teams, and at one point, three days before, it could be three others, with two exceptions," commented Stanev.
However, the Bulgarian coach accepts the situation pragmatically: "It is what it is."
After today's draw, the staff will have to redirect their analysis and preparation to the new opponents in an extremely short time, if we are not drawn into the groups where Brazil or Iran are.
It is also clear how to reach the round of 16
FIVB has already provided an answer to the other big question after the format change.
Each of the 20 teams will play three matches in the group. After the preliminary phase is completed, a general ranking of all participants will be made.
The first 16 teams in this overall ranking advance to the round of 16, and the last four are eliminated.
After that, #1 will meet #16, #2 – #15, #3 – #14, and so on until #8 against #9. The winners advance to the quarterfinals.
Bulgaria travels as planned
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the opponents, Stanev confirmed that, for now, there is no change in the Bulgarian team's plans for traveling to Qatar.
"They even sent me the tickets yesterday. We fly on Monday," said the coach.
The hotel in Doha, where the Bulgarian team will be accommodated, has already contacted him.
This is important against the backdrop of security concerns that Stanev had already shared with us. At the moment, however, no Bulgarian athletes have withdrawn due to the situation in the region.
Stanev: Entering the Top 8 will be a huge success
Regardless of the extraordinary changes immediately before the championship, the goal for the Bulgarian team remains clear.
"If we enter the top eight, it will be a huge success for us. Whatever we do after that," said Ivan Stanev.
The U17 World Championship starts on August 19 and continues until August 29 in Doha. balkanvolleyball.org
photo:balkanvolleyball.org
